Gary Coleman leaves bittersweet instructions for his funeral - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Mr. Television · 06-08-2010, 06:57 PM

http://www.people.com/people/article...392290,00.html

Garry Coleman leaves bittersweet instructions for funeral
By Ken Lee

Tuesday June 08, 2010 05:45 PM EDT

So often surrounded by Hollywood users and hangers-on during his career, Gary Coleman made it clear he wanted to have nothing to do with them after he died.

His two-page will, filed Tuesday in a Provo, Utah, court, requests that his remains be cremated, then spells out who would be – and not be – welcome at his wake.

The actor wanted only "those who have no financial ties to me and who can look each other in the eyes and say they really cared personally for Gary Coleman," according to the will.

In addition, "I direct my personal representative to permit no members of the press to be present at my wake or funeral," the will states.

PHOTOS: Gary Coleman's Big Life

The 1999 document appoints his former manager Dion Mial, 46, as executor of his estate, giving him broad powers to set funeral plans in motion, assess the value of the estate and decide how any money is to be paid out according to a trust, the details of which were not revealed.

The star of Diff'rent Strokes died relatively broke, with his main asset being his $315,000 Utah home.

"Before anyone gets paid, his medical and funeral bills have to be covered first," Mial's attorney Kent Alderman tells PEOPLE. "Whatever's left after that will be distributed according to his trust."

In the court documents accompanying the will, Mial expresses concern that Coleman's ex-wife Shannon Price, 24, "has been removing personal property from [Coleman's] home which has not been inventoried or accounted for."

Mial has lashed out against Coleman's ex, accusing her of trying to profit off Coleman's death by selling interviews and photos.

Price's spokeswoman, Shielia Erickson, declined to comment on the allegations, but said Price intends to contest the 1999 will. Price claims she has a 2007 will in which Coleman would leave her everything.

However, Alderman says the ex-couple's divorce effectively nullifies any other will.

It remains to be seen if Coleman's parents, Sue, 67, and Willie Coleman, 71, whom the actor stopped communicating with around 1995, will be invited to any funeral. They are not mentioned by name in the will. It was Mial who Coleman's parents once blamed for turning their son against them in the late '80s.

Marvo301 · 06-08-2010, 07:11 PM

Based on that Shannen won't be allowed at Gary's funeral.

Harmony233 · 06-08-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Based on that Shannen won't be allowed at Gary's funeral.

I really hope Shannon gets nothing.

Retro4Life · 06-08-2010, 07:21 PM

I read the will that was linked on TMZ. Was it just me or was the whole notion of Gary writing that will at age 31, plus the contents, just a very, very sad thing?

What a life this guy led and how unhappy he pretty much always seemed. He never had a chance at a real childhood, then the world wouldn't let him be an adult. Absolutely tragic.

Gary

Marvo301 · 06-08-2010, 07:28 PM

You're right it is very sad that at age 31 Gary was considering end of life issues and writing his will. But considering how things are turning out thank goodness he did! And you are so right that Gary missed out on his childhood and that the world wouldn't let him be an adult. That was the true tragedy of Gary's life.

catlover79 · 06-09-2010, 02:09 AM

It is sad...but it also showed he was a realist. He knew, barring a miracle, that he would never totally have perfect health.

Marvo301 · 06-09-2010, 02:18 AM

I read somewhere that having reached the age of 42, Gary had lived nearly twice as long as doctors had predicted. So I assume Gary was aware from a young age that he was going to have a shorter than normal life span. That may explain why he was writing his will in his early thirties.

Larenz09 · 06-11-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

You're right it is very sad that at age 31 Gary was considering end of life issues and writing his will. But considering how things are turning out thank goodness he did! And you are so right that Gary missed out on his childhood and that the world wouldn't let him be an adult. That was the true tragedy of Gary's life.

That is so true!

Seems that he was dogged just about all of his life. He never really had it easy. Robbed of both his childhood life and his adult life!! So sad.

I wish that I could turn back the hands of time to have him with us again!

06-08-2010, 06:57 PM	#1
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	Gary Coleman leaves bittersweet instructions for his funeral http://www.people.com/people/article...392290,00.html Garry Coleman leaves bittersweet instructions for funeral By Ken Lee Tuesday June 08, 2010 05:45 PM EDT So often surrounded by Hollywood users and hangers-on during his career, Gary Coleman made it clear he wanted to have nothing to do with them after he died. His two-page will, filed Tuesday in a Provo, Utah, court, requests that his remains be cremated, then spells out who would be – and not be – welcome at his wake. The actor wanted only "those who have no financial ties to me and who can look each other in the eyes and say they really cared personally for Gary Coleman," according to the will. In addition, "I direct my personal representative to permit no members of the press to be present at my wake or funeral," the will states. PHOTOS: Gary Coleman's Big Life The 1999 document appoints his former manager Dion Mial, 46, as executor of his estate, giving him broad powers to set funeral plans in motion, assess the value of the estate and decide how any money is to be paid out according to a trust, the details of which were not revealed. The star of Diff'rent Strokes died relatively broke, with his main asset being his $315,000 Utah home. "Before anyone gets paid, his medical and funeral bills have to be covered first," Mial's attorney Kent Alderman tells PEOPLE. "Whatever's left after that will be distributed according to his trust." In the court documents accompanying the will, Mial expresses concern that Coleman's ex-wife Shannon Price, 24, "has been removing personal property from [Coleman's] home which has not been inventoried or accounted for." Mial has lashed out against Coleman's ex, accusing her of trying to profit off Coleman's death by selling interviews and photos. Price's spokeswoman, Shielia Erickson, declined to comment on the allegations, but said Price intends to contest the 1999 will. Price claims she has a 2007 will in which Coleman would leave her everything. However, Alderman says the ex-couple's divorce effectively nullifies any other will. It remains to be seen if Coleman's parents, Sue, 67, and Willie Coleman, 71, whom the actor stopped communicating with around 1995, will be invited to any funeral. They are not mentioned by name in the will. It was Mial who Coleman's parents once blamed for turning their son against them in the late '80s.
	__________________ Sonny

06-08-2010, 07:11 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Based on that Shannen won't be allowed at Gary's funeral.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

06-08-2010, 07:21 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I read the will that was linked on TMZ. Was it just me or was the whole notion of Gary writing that will at age 31, plus the contents, just a very, very sad thing? What a life this guy led and how unhappy he pretty much always seemed. He never had a chance at a real childhood, then the world wouldn't let him be an adult. Absolutely tragic. Gary
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

06-09-2010, 02:09 AM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	It is sad...but it also showed he was a realist. He knew, barring a miracle, that he would never totally have perfect health.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

06-08-2010, 07:28 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	You're right it is very sad that at age 31 Gary was considering end of life issues and writing his will. But considering how things are turning out thank goodness he did! And you are so right that Gary missed out on his childhood and that the world wouldn't let him be an adult. That was the true tragedy of Gary's life.

06-09-2010, 02:18 AM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	I read somewhere that having reached the age of 42, Gary had lived nearly twice as long as doctors had predicted. So I assume Gary was aware from a young age that he was going to have a shorter than normal life span. That may explain why he was writing his will in his early thirties.